The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-07-09
uT. uegilp'S Picture.

MT. Michael Megilp was young artist of some performance and of con siderable promise. But, like many other men in that position, he was often handicapped by the want of ready money, for though his pictures were tolerably well spoken of by the critics and lauded to the skies by his friends, the picture dealers gave him only very moderate price for them. Still, in spite of this draw back. Megilp, being of a cheerful, happy go-lucky disposition, kept up his courage, worked early and late in his studio, and believed firmly that some day favorable turn ill his affairs would come. He had married early young lady possessed of more beauty than fortune; in fact, Mrs. Megilp's marriage portion of 600 pounds only just paid for the furnishing of the house and studio at Kensington, where the young couple began housekeeping. But with the best intentions, the young wife was not a very skillful manager, so gradually the Megilps glided into debt, and in due course the tradespeoplc became restive and re- fused further supplies until their little bills were paid. When Michael Angelo and his wife came to add up their liabilities, they found that they amounted to nearly POO pounds. sum total which seemed terrific to poor little Mrs. Megilp.
 "W here on earth can we get POO pounds, Angy?" she cried, clasping her hands tragically. All your pie lures, even if you could sell them. wouldn't fetch half that"
 "There's the furniture, you know. Madge," hazarded Megilp. "It was bought with your money. What do you say to-"
 "Oh, don't-doat sell it; I couldn't bear to part with all my pretty things" she interrupted, with a hv- ing glance round her drawing room, which was quite picture of modest elegance.
 "l shouldn't think of asking you to make such sacrifice, my dear," re- piled Michael Angelo soothinglv: "but we could raise 200 pounds on it easily"
 ~.syos'se quite--quite sure the fur niture would be safe?"
 ''Perfectly sure; and think know the man who will do the business-a bill of sale, you know-not half a bad way of raising money"
 Accordingly Megilp went next morning down to Wardour street, and in dirty little bric-a-brac shop he unearthed the worthy Israelite who was to oblige him with the loan.
 "You want POO pounds on bill oi sale on your furniture?" said Mr Zerubbabel, when the artist had ex. plained his errand. "I must come down to your house and see what you have got before l can give you an an swer."
 "Surely you can take my word thai there is more than ample security fol the amount l want. Besides presents we ourselves spent over 600 pound, two years ago." replied Michael An. gelo, angrily.
 MT. Zerubbabel laid his fat fore finger along his great, hooked nos, and winked, adding:
 ''I dare say. Still, I'd rather have , look at it before we do business. I you give me your address, Pll call ol you tomorrow"
 Michael Angelo swallowed his vexa tion as best he could, gave his address and left the bric-a- brac shop.
 Mir. Zerubbabel duly paid his xisi of inspection, and in the course of few days the negotiation was fai accompi. The Megilps paid thei bills, the tradespeople smiled ono more on Mrs. Megilp, and matter went on quite smoothly for severa months. The interest on the 2Ot pounds was punctually paid, ant early in the year Michael Angelo fin ished the picture he intended to senG in to Burlington House.
 Every one who entered the studio prophesied great things of this pic. ture, and every one agreed that ssChlo< Counting Her Chickens" was, so far Megilp's chef Feuvre. The artis,